By Rick Ryckeley
Fayette County Fire & Emergency Services

Yes, 'tis summertime once again. It's time for beaches, sunning, barbecuing, and my favorite - mowing the lawn.

When I was eleven, dad bought a rotary push mower for us four boys to cut the grass with. "Why didn't you buy a gas power mower?" I asked.

He said, "When you're older, you'll understand and appreciate it. You and your brothers go cut the front yard. It's not but a little more than an acre; besides it'll be good exercise."

Well, I'm older now, and thinking back on it, I don't appreciate the rotary motor, but I do understand it - my dad was just cheap. As temperatures climb well into the nineties, we all need to follow extra safety precautions to insure a fun-filled summer for everyone, so we can have plenty of time to cut grass.

Would you ride around with a stick of dynamite in your back seat? What about one hundred sticks of dynamite in the trunk? One gallon of gasoline has the explosive power of a stick of dynamite, and the vapors from five gallons of gasoline have the explosive power of a hundred. This summer be sure to transport gasoline in an approved container, and when you get home, always store it outside. Gasoline vapors are very volatile; being heavier than air, they will travel close to the ground creating a vapor trail. Vapors can travel down the hall, around corners, down steps, and even through the floor. An ignition source such as a pilot light from the hot water tank, heat from a car engine or spark from a light switch can cause an explosion. Gasoline stored at forty-five degrees below zero still will give off flammable vapors.

Never refuel your lawn mower when the engine is hot. Wait for the engine to cool down before you add gas. Gasoline does not need to come in contact with hot metal to cause a fire. Just vapors from the fuel can cause an explosion and fire if the ignition temperature is reached. If you follow these simple safety rules, you or your lawn mower will not go up in flames this summer. But gasoline is not the only danger we should be aware of this summer.

When barbecuing, only use charcoal lighter fluid to light the charcoal. Once the fire is started, never spray additional lighter fluid on the fire. Believe me, burned off eyebrows are really painful. Store and dispose of used coals in proper containers. In the car, check to see if the buckles of car seats or seat belts are hot before fastening the kids in. If a wagon or bike has been in the sun all day, it should be cooled with water before letting the kids ride. Tell your children to let the water from the garden hose run a couple of minutes before taking a drink. The cold water in the hose can become very hot during the summer - a quick drink can become a quick burn. Hot pavement can also cause burns to the bottom of unprotected feet. Always wear shoes or sandals when crossing the road or parking lot going to the beach. For those of us who can't afford a trip to the beach, we can take a trip to our friend's house and swim in his new pool while he's at the beach. But even at the pool, we need to follow some safety rules.

All pools must have a fence around them with a gate that locks. A life rope, life preserver or other life saving devices should be in every pool area. A rope that floats should be across the pool to separate the deep end from the shallow. Store all pool chemicals in a safe, dry area away from the pump room. Never mix chemicals and always pour or sprinkle them into the pool following the manufacturer's directions. Always have an adult with a phone in the pool area if children are in the water. When you leave, lock back the gate to keep other children out, and to make sure your friend doesn't know you used his pool while he was gone. If you swim in the morning, you'll still have enough time to cut the grass in the afternoon - yours not your friend's.

Just for your information, Home Depot still sells the old rotary push mowers. I'm buying one next week for The Boy so he can cut the grass and get some exercise. No, I'm not cheap. I just think it'll be safer not to use all of that gasoline. Leastwise that's what I'm telling The Boy.

[Rick Ryckeley is employed by the Fayette County Department of Fire and Emergency Services. He can be reached at saferick@bellsouth.net.]

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